Trip Report: Uva Enoteca
Posted by TheShot on 09 Nov 2009 | Tagged as: Local Brew, Restaurant Coffee
This small-bite Italian eatery and wine bar on Lower Haight arrived on the scene in the Spring of ’08, taking over what was frequently a campaign office for local politicians. They have limited seating in front and plenty more in back, with both dining areas separated by a large, accommodating bar with stool seating.
Despite its gentrified theme (house-made salumi, pizzas, etc. from Mario Batali alumni), the staff here are decidedly Haight St.: black T-shirts, tattoos, and a lot of facial hair (though fortunately not the women). We appreciated that the entire dining experience was complemented exclusively by Dinosaur Jr.‘s music catalog, even if it was only post-Bug. It subtly reminded us of a former era where Rough Trade and Reckless records ruled Haight St., and Ameoba Music was the mere Rock ‘N Bowl bowling alley. (And how we once saw Dinosaur Jr. play with The Fluid at SF’s Kennel Club, née The Justice League, and now known as The Independent.)
Using a single-group La Marzocco Linea at the bar and beans from Ritual Coffee Roasters, you’d think the espresso here might be pretty decent. But you’d be surprised by the lackluster results. While the resulting taste is fine, it is served with a blonde, thinner crema as a large pour. It has a watery body and the flavor of decent filter coffee — not espresso. Served in classic brown Nuova Point cups.
Read the review of Uva Enoteca.
5 Comments »
bummer
yeah, and I was thinking of dropping a resume here. well, if the wine’s still a step up from the espresso, i may still.
The thing about Uva Enoteca, is the “Uva”
in the title.. not coffee. A wide sampling of excellent character wines is the specialty here, to accompany a refined italianate cuisine. The folks who pack the place most every night
shun coffee at night for a reason. They are out for a good time after days of coffee !
For the food, I give the place 2 michelin-like stars. The wine adds a star for a perfect 3 stars rating!
(PS. I visited Uva Enoteca while on a trip to SF from France)
The wine selections here are a little eclectic, which is good. For example, it is rare to find SF restaurants that carry wines from the Emilia-Romagna region (ironically considered by most to be the food capital of Italy). If you do, it is often a mildly effervescent red Lambrusco. But here, we had a 2006 Castello di Luzzano Colli Piacentini Romeo Gutturnio Riserva which was quite excellent.
That said, the eclectic selections are still limited to about a dozen or so. This pales in comparison to, say, another small SF eatery such as La Ciccia — where the list of wines from Sardinia alone amounts to a couple dozen. (That and both the food and espresso are notably better at La Ciccia.)
But if an establishment is going through the expense and effort of using a La Marzocco machine and locally roasted beans, the management and the clientele would both hope for better espresso results.
Being french is an excuse not to know much about the wines of other countries.
But I couldn’t have for the life of me have picked three more interesting and individuated wines
as were served to me the night I visited Uva Enoteca. Unfortunately for me, I’m incapable of remembering their names nor is it likely I could buy any of them anywhere in France. (We defined the word “chauvinisic”)
Tourism means living in the moment, and I experienced a marvelous moment at Uva.
Thanks, San Francisco !